Arrest made in Mooresboro killing

MOORESBORO - Joe Nathan Bristol said his son, Kevin Lee Cole, had brushes with the law in the past but made a complete turn around in recent years.

“He was all about his family,” Bristol said. “He has a son and a girlfriend and was all about his family.”

Deputies responded to the 400 block of Mooresboro Road Friday around 9 p.m. and found Cole, 20, shot to death, according to Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman.

Norman said the investigation is ongoing but the shooting appeared to be drug related.

Mathew Anthony Moore, 26, is charged with one count of murder in connection with Cole's death. He is being held without bond at the Cleveland County Detention Center and will make a first appearance in court Monday, Norman said.

When deputies arrived at the scene Friday night, they found Cole on the back porch with two gunshot wounds. Moore was inside the house, Norman said.

A child's toy sat in the front lawn of the house on Saturday and remains of crime scene tape hung from a nearby tree. No one answered a knock at the door.

Cole’s parents, sister, girlfriend and friends gathered at his home in Forest City on Saturday.

Cole’s best friend Tyree Bryce said Cole had a good heart.

“He would help people out and give you his last dollar if he had to,” Bryce said. “His life shouldn’t have ended like that. Kevin didn’t deserve that.”

Attempts to reach the Moore family for comment Saturday were unsuccessful.

Reach Jessica Pickens at 704-669-3332 or jpickens@shelbystar.com. Follow on Twitter at @StarJPickens.